PBS Space Time Season 2017 Episode 36 Absolute Cold
- October 11, 2017
PBS Space Time season 2017 episode 36, titled "Absolute Cold," addresses the fascinating topic of temperature and its effects on the universe. As scientists have delved deeper into the workings of the cosmos, they have discovered that temperature is not only a crucial component of the physical world, but also a key factor in understanding the very nature of space and time.
In this episode, the hosts of PBS Space Time explore the concept of "absolute cold," which refers to the temperature at which all matter would theoretically freeze solid. This temperature, known as "absolute zero," is thought to be -273.15 degrees Celsius (-459.67 degrees Fahrenheit) and is the lowest possible temperature that can exist in the universe.
The episode begins by discussing the ways in which temperature affects the universe on a large scale. For example, temperature is a key factor in determining the behavior of stars, which rely on nuclear fusion reactions to produce energy. When the temperature inside a star drops too low, the fusion reactions slow down and the star begins to contract, eventually collapsing and becoming a black hole.
The hosts also explore the ways in which temperature affects the universe on a smaller scale, such as the behavior of individual atoms and molecules. At extremely low temperatures, atoms can be made to slow down or even come to a standstill, allowing scientists to observe their behavior in new ways and conduct experiments that would be impossible at higher temperatures.
One particularly fascinating aspect of the episode involves the discussion of Bose-Einstein condensates, which are created by cooling atoms down to near-absolute-zero temperatures. These condensates are a state of matter that exhibit some truly bizarre properties, such as the ability for all the atoms in the condensate to occupy the same quantum state.
Throughout the episode, the hosts delve into the concept of entropy, which is a measure of the disorder of a system. As the temperature of a system decreases, its entropy also decreases, meaning that the system becomes more ordered and less chaotic. This has profound implications for the universe as a whole, as it suggests that the universe tends towards greater order and complexity over time.
As the episode progresses, the hosts explore the ways in which temperature is linked to the fabric of space and time itself. For example, scientists have discovered that the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is a remnant of the Big Bang, has a temperature of approximately 2.7 degrees Kelvin. This temperature is not just a relic of the early universe, but is actually a fundamental property of space and time itself.
Overall, "Absolute Cold" is a fascinating episode that delves deep into the world of temperature and its implications for the universe. The hosts present complex concepts in an accessible way, making the episode appealing to both casual viewers and those with a strong background in physics. By the end of the episode, viewers will have a greater appreciation for the role that temperature plays in shaping the universe and our understanding of it.
